The Chargers backed off their pursuit of Kevin Burnett early in the week, and never really made a push to keep the player they felt was one of the main components in their No.1-ranked defense in 2010.

So Burnett moved on to the Miami Dolphins on Friday, agreeing to a four-year deal. The total value of the contract is not known, but $10 million is virtually guaranteed.

Burnett led the Chargers with 124 tackles last season, was second with six sacks, forced two fumbles and had two interceptions.

The Chargers initially envisioned Burnett starting alongside newly aquired linebacker Takeo Spikes. But despite protests from Burnett and his agent that the sides never exchanged figures, the Chargers abruptly moved away from Burnett on Wednesday, in part because his money demands were too high. He was, according to sources, seeking an average of $5.5 million a year. The Chargers were not going to come close to that after committing $8 million a year to safety Eric Weddle and signing a handful of other free agents.

The Chargers are likely content to wait to peruse the scrap heap for the numerous cuts around the league -- those to come more than those that have already happened -- in hopes of finding a possible starter at inside linebacker.